The risks of suffering a concussion have been under the spotlight in recent years, especially as the degenerative neurological illness known as chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE) has been found in multiple football players after their deaths. The degenerative disease is believed to be linked to brain trauma, including concussions.

A federal judge says the NFL and more than 4,500 former players want to settle concussion-related lawsuits for $765 million.
The global settlement would fund medical exams, concussion-related compensation and medical research.

The season is over for East Bladen High School's football team, and some of its equipment is also done for good.
With such a high risk for head injuries during games, safety standards for helmets are strongly enforced.

It's no secret that football is a tough sport. As the season kicks off, we spoke with players, coaches and trainers on the sidelines about concussions and safety. This is a big topic on the national gridiron right now as the NFL is under scrutiny for medical issues associated with concussions.